28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Had My Theater Howling Joyfully With A Truly Bananas Scene That Transcends Cinema

by

Warning: Major spoilers ahead for those who haven’t seen 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple! Proceed with caution if you haven’t watched it yet.

Okay, it’s only January, but I’m already predicting that Nia DaCosta’s 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple will be one of my absolute favorite films of 2026. (You can read a full review here, by the way!) What really grabbed me was how consistently surprising it was – the ending genuinely threw me, and left me feeling optimistic. But honestly, the thing that really sets it apart? A late-in-the-movie musical number that turned my entire theater into a collective ball of joy. It was a truly euphoric moment, and I can’t stop thinking about it.

Jack O’Connell’s character, Sir Lord Jimmy, repeatedly claims to be guided by “Old Nick” – a reference to the devil. However, it becomes clear he’s actually suffering from mental illness, not possessed by a demon. Determined to convince his followers otherwise, he asks Ralph Fiennes’ Dr. Kelson to play the part of Satan. Kelson fully commits to the role, delivering a performance of Iron Maiden’s “Number of the Beast” that’s so impressive, it feels like a live concert rather than just a scene in a movie.

Kelson’s Performance Is Gorgeous, Crafty, And Possibly The Most Magical Sequence In This Franchise

Let me just say upfront: I’m not a huge Iron Maiden fan – I’ve never really listened to them for fun, though I always thought their artwork was great. But even if my favorite song had been featured in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple instead of “The Number of the Beast,” I doubt I would have enjoyed the movie any more than I did. This film is fantastic.

The moment the album artwork appeared, it was obvious Kelson is a truly remarkable and generous character in the horror genre. Considering he created everything in just two days while under pressure is incredible. I didn’t even think about the technical aspects – how the sound system worked or how he achieved those amazing fire effects. I was completely captivated and happily lost myself in the experience.

I would have loved the movie if I’d seen it by myself. However, the theater was completely full, and it seemed like everyone else was really enjoying it. I could clearly hear the audience cheering and laughing, especially when Ralph Fiennes, playing a darkly captivating Lucifer, powerfully moved around the set – climbing, posing, and slithering amongst a huge pile of skulls – while the devoted followers in the film watched him, completely mesmerized.

The audience erupted in applause and cheers when the song finished, and many of us would have left satisfied if the movie had ended right then. We were definitely puzzled, but still felt good. Luckily, the rest of the film was just as enjoyable, particularly seeing Cillian Murphy reprise his role as Jim. When the credits began, we applauded again, though not quite as enthusiastically as we had after the opening track.

It’ll be tough for any new movie – horror or otherwise – to create a scene as shocking, exciting, and satisfying as Ralph Fiennes’ unforgettable performance. If you’re hoping to experience something equally thrilling and unexpected, keep reading.

The Bone Temple’s Musical Sequence Reminds Me Of Alan Wake 2’s Best Chapter

The Alan Wake games share more in common with the strange, atmospheric horror of Twin Peaks than with the bleak, destroyed world of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, so there aren’t many similarities between them. However, Alan Wake 2 (released in 2023) gained a lot of attention as one of the most talked-about horror games recently, largely due to a section called “Initiation 4: We Sing.”

Without giving away any plot details, one section of the game has you navigating the main character through a TV studio while the in-game band, The Old Gods of Asgard (also known as Poets of the Fall), performs a powerful Finnish metal song. Different characters sing the lyrics, and the song evolves as you play. Despite repeating sections, the music remains energetic and engaging.

One gaming moment from 2023 really stood out to me—and a lot of other players too. I didn’t think any horror game could match that feeling of surprising, chaotic fun, but 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple absolutely nailed it. It made me think Nia DaCosta would be a fantastic director for an episode of the upcoming Alan Wake video game adaptation.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is now playing in theaters around the country. Hail Kelson!

Read More

2026-01-18 01:11